It's Johnny Crawford's birthday

Oh, PA.

"Ready for your birthday spanking, boy?"

An interesting Q&A with Crawford.

He was so cute.

It's such a tragedy that he now is in a care facility for Alzheimer's patients in Glendale, California. His wife Charlotte has invited fans to visit him or send cards to him there.

I loved Johnny when I was a boy myself, watching The Rifleman every week. It was so thrilling to see the genuine love between Mark McCain and his Pa and it didn't hurt that they both went around shirtless half the time in the first couple of seasons. One of the best television series ever about the relationship between a father and his son.

I loved all the old 50's & 60's western serials. 2 episodes of The Rifleman, and also Bonanza, Wagon Train, & Gunsmoke play every day on MeTV. I rarely miss them.

I hated westerns. I've never seen this show. I was never in the TV room when Gunsmoke was on, and would go upstairs when Bonanza came on, but I vaguely remember a Wagon Train episode in which Brandon DeWilde played "Beautiful Dreamer" on violin. I think I may have watched other WT episodes, too.

Wagon Train had lots of well known performers appear as guest stars. Bette Davis was on 3 times. So many others too. Ward Bond was a very close friend of John Wayne. Wayne appeared (uncredited) one time playing the role of William Tecumseh Sherman but only in the background in shadows. But you couldn't mistake that voice.

I mainly watched WT to get a look at the very sexy Robert Horton. I was always disappointed when he didn't appear on an episode.

Robert Horton was the bee's knees. It was from watching him on Wagon Train that I learned to love a hairy chest on a man.

[quote]I mainly watched WT to get a look at the very sexy Robert Horton.

"WT" always means "(As the) World Turns" to me. Is this your "very sexy Robert Horton"?

Yes, that's him. He'd aged considerably by then. He lived to the age of 91. Died in 2016.

Robert Horton was the star of "110 in the Shade" (opposite "Benson's" Inga Swenson) on Broadway.

How did wishing Johnny Crawford a Happy Birthday turn into a thread about Robert Horton?

Good question, R13.

I heard his song " Cindy's Birthday" last week and Googled him as I had no idea if he was even still alive. Apparently he was a super nice guy and did some big band work. Sorry to hear about the Alzheimer's diagnosis.

I fell in love with him watching him on that show , maybe 5 or 6, watching from my grandmother's living room, he seemed so vulnerable and sweet , I didn't understand what it meant at that time and age but now I do. Chuck Conners was so butch!

He grew up to become quite a physical specimen. Here he is from 1973's "The Naked Ape".

Were there any skinnydipping scenes on The Rifleman?

Lucas McKane is as queer as a $3 bill.

R18 It's been rumored for many years that Chuck Connors got his start in porno films or as a male model in porn. I saw a picture once that was supposed to be him - all he was wearing was a sailor's cap.

I'd gladly have fucked around with Chuck.

He was fine as hell.

R19, th[s one?

R21 Yes! That's it. That definitely appears to be Chuck, no doubt in my mind. Must have been made in the early 1950s, from the look of it. I wonder if Chuck was bi? I'm sure when he made this film he never thought he'd be famous someday. I expect he needed the money. Chuck Connors is not the only macho male movie actor who got his start in porn. Sylvester Stallone and Sonny Landham come to mind.

I wonder if Johnny Crawford ever knew about this? It has also been rumored for many years that Johnny is gay.

Oh Chuck, I love sucking on your...man teats

I’d love to suck on that dudes hairy chest. Damn

At least he never trashed his poor mother like his sister Christina did.

R6 - You left out "Cheyenne", a terrible omission for, well, reasons (like the central character looked like a fucking god . . . passed away last year, RIP Clint Walker).